Many consider him to be the greatest lineman to ever play pro-football, but many don't know the story behind "Big Jim Parker" His story is just one of the many featured at the African American Legacy Project of Northwest Ohio.
Jim Parker was born in 1934 in Macon, Georgia. He was one of 6 kids. When Parker turned 18, He hitch hiked to Toledo. Robert Smith from the African American Legacy Project tells 13ABC, "they were supplementing a family on 28 dollars combining work from 2 kids...so parker struck out on his own to find new ground and territory."
Parker enrolled in Scott High school. Although his first love was basketball, his skill in football would ultimately change his life. One day while working as a valet, He had an encounter with a young Ohio State Coach by the name of Woody Hayes.
Smith tells 13abc, "The owner of Babcock dairy pointed to Woody Hayes and said "Hey there's the best football player in Toledo" and they got together. Parker would become the first African American to stay in a dorm at The Ohio State University.
From 1954 through 1956 Parker played on both offensive and defensive lines. Parker known for his size, strength, and quickness used his talents for clearing a path for running backs. Parker would help Hayes win his first national championship in 1954 and in 1956 Parker won the Outland Trophy.
Smith tells 13ABC, "Woody Hayes had stopped him one day and said are you better today than you were yesterday?...Parker said no and so Hayes made him run laps ... and Parker said that stuck...so what he did in his life ...is learn how to move yourself forward each and every day."
In 1957 Parker was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the first round of the NFL draft. Parker would receive many accolades for his skill on the field. In 1973 Parker was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Parker credits Toledo in turning his life around and making his football career a success. Big Jim Parker died in 2005.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:53:28 GMT
Toledo firefighters are on the scene of a house fire on the city's East side. Firefighters were called to a home on Thurston Street between Woodville Road and Starr Avenue just after four this morning. There
Toledo firefighters battled two house fires on the east side of Toledo Tuesday. A home in the 400 block of Thurston Avenue was firebombed. Three adults and two children made it out safely. Firefighters also put out a house fire in the 700 block of Euclid Avenue near Starr Avenue.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:49 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:49:52 GMT
Severe weather is sweeping areas of the plains states. At least one person is dead and more storms are on the way today. ISOH/IMPACT is preparing to help those affected by the spring storms in Texas
A large tornado roared through Moore, Oklahoma Monday afternoon. Local charities are organizing to help. For more information, go to 13abc.com.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:43 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:43:30 GMT
Two Toledo firefighters suffered minor Monday morning after a fire in West Toledo. It happened in the 3600 block of Berkerly near Berdan.
2 Toledo firefighters were treated for minor injuries following a fire in West Toledo. It happened in the 3600 Block of Berdan on Monday. One was treated for a minor burn and the other for heat exhaustion. Both have now returned to duty.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:41 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:41:41 GMT
A twister ripped through the Lake Township area almost three years ago. The community is pretty much back to normal, but residents still remember the horror that hit their neighborhood in 2010.
Lake Township residents recall a twister that ripped through their area almost three years ago. The Oklahoma tornado victims are on the minds of those in Lake Township who suffered deaths and damage in 2010.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:43 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:43:07 GMT
Lakota Local Schools will be dismissing early on Tuesday. Because of low water pressure, school administrators tell 13abc that all grades will be dismissed at 11:45am. There will also be no afternoon
Lakota Local Schools will be dismissing early on Tuesday. Because of low water pressure, school administrators tell 13abc that all grades will be dismissed at 11:45am. There will also be no afternoon preschool.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:53:28 GMT
Toledo firefighters are on the scene of a house fire on the city's East side. Firefighters were called to a home on Thurston Street between Woodville Road and Starr Avenue just after four this morning. There
Toledo firefighters battled two house fires on the east side of Toledo Tuesday. A home in the 400 block of Thurston Avenue was firebombed. Three adults and two children made it out safely. Firefighters also put out a house fire in the 700 block of Euclid Avenue near Starr Avenue.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:46 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:46:09 GMT
Heartbreaking photos are coming out of Moore, Oklahoma after a tornado flattened much of the town Monday, killing dozens.
Heartbreaking images are coming out of Oklahoma after a tornado flattened much of the town Monday. Emergency crews searched for survivors. At least 24 were killed including 9 children.
Rescue crews are working through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.
Emergency crews searched the broken remnants of an Oklahoma City suburb Tuesday for survivors of a massive tornado that flattened homes and demolished an elementary school. At least 24 people were killed, including at least...
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:43 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:43:07 GMT
Lakota Local Schools will be dismissing early on Tuesday. Because of low water pressure, school administrators tell 13abc that all grades will be dismissed at 11:45am. There will also be no afternoon
Lakota Local Schools will be dismissing early on Tuesday. Because of low water pressure, school administrators tell 13abc that all grades will be dismissed at 11:45am. There will also be no afternoon preschool.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:31 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:31:38 GMT
Portions of Moore, Oklahoma were ravaged by a mile-wide tornado this Monday afternoon. This follows a near-record quiet start to tornado season. Strong storms may reach northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan by Tuesday.
Recovery efforts continue in Moore, Oklahoma after a catastrophic tornado on Monday. The tornado season that began quietly in 2013 has roared to life this week. Severe weather is possible in Northwest Ohio on Tuesday and Wednesday. 13abc and 13abc.com will update throughout the day.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:30 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:30:27 GMT
Coast guard crews are searching for a missing boater in Lake Erie. Authorities aren't releasing a name, but they say this person left Meinke Marina in Curtice, Ohio Monday afternoon. The person was due
Coast guard crews found a boater reported to be missing on Lake Erie Tuesday morning.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:15 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:15:41 GMT
Investigators with the arson unit have a person of interest custody possibly linked to a fire at 727 Euclid.The fire started before 4:30 this morning on Euclid near Starr.Investigators say it was a vacant
Investigators with the arson unit have a person of interest custody possibly linked to a fire at 727 Euclid.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:18:47 GMT
For some people in Northwest Ohio, the image of a massive tornado is something they only see on TV. But Allan Detrich puts himself directly in their path."Seeing the storms out in the plains, they're
A local man remembers being in Oklahoma City in 1999, when a massive tornado ravaged the city. Allan Detrich of Fremont says the area was devastated and Monday's tornado reminds him of what happened some 14 years ago.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:49 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:49:52 GMT
Severe weather is sweeping areas of the plains states. At least one person is dead and more storms are on the way today. ISOH/IMPACT is preparing to help those affected by the spring storms in Texas
A large tornado roared through Moore, Oklahoma Monday afternoon. Local charities are organizing to help. For more information, go to 13abc.com.
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